Whitesnake & Thin Lizzy Guitarist John Sykes, Dies

Steve Vai followed John Sykes in Whitesnake – and he quickly decided what not to do when playing his parts
On the subsequent tour, Sykes' place was taken by both Adrian Vandenberg and Vivian Campbell, though within just a couple of years, they too would be out of the band – the former temporarily, due to injury, and the latter permanently, due to personal differences.
Whitesnake & Thin Lizzy Guitarist John Sykes, Dies at 65
John Sykes, best known for playing guitar with iconic bands Whitesnake and Thin Lizzy, has died. He was 65 years old and was reportedly battling cancer when he died on January 20, 2025. Thin Lizzy’s Instagram page confirmed the news and shared a statement about his passing.
Whitesnake, Thin Lizzy guitarist dies from cancer at age 65
The renowned guitarist played with several successful bands from the 1980s including Whitesnake, Thin Lizzy and Tygers of Pan Tang.
John Sykes, Thin Lizzy And Whitesnake Guitarist, Dead At 65
Revered hard rock guitarist John Sykes, best known for his work in Thin Lizzy and the multi-platinum selling glam rock outfit Whitesnake, has died at age 65
John Sykes Dead After Cancer Battle: Whitesnake and Thin Lizzy Guitarist Was 65
Guitarist John Sykes died earlier this month after a battle with cancer. He was 65.
John Sykes, Whitesnake and Thin Lizzy guitarist, dies aged 65
British guitarist John Sykes, best known for his work with rock bands Thin Lizzy and Whitesnake, has died aged 65 “after a hard fought battle with cancer,” according to a statement on his website.
Whitesnake and Thin Lizzy Guitarist John Sykes Dies of Cancer at 65: 'Thoughtful, Kind and Charismatic'
John Sykes, a guitarist who played in bands like Whitesnake and Thin Lizzy, died of cancer at age 65. He cowrote some of Whitesnake's biggest hits, like "Still of the Night" and "Is This Love."
Whitesnake guitarist John Sykes dies at 65
The British rock guitarist John Sykes, who played with Whitesnake and Thin Lizzy, has died aged 65. A statement on his website said Sykes "passed away after a hard fought battle with cancer".
John Sykes, guitarist and hair-metal hitmaker with Whitesnake, dies at 65
The English guitarist co-wrote Whitesnake's 'Is This Love,' one of the defining power ballads of late-'80s hard rock.
John Sykes looks back on Blue Murder, the band he formed after leaving Whitesnake
A rare interview with the late John Sykes, who died this week at the age of 65 – and some personal memories from Myles Kennedy
John Sykes of Whitesnake Dead at 65
Guitarist John Sykes died earlier this month after a battle with cancer. He was 65. "It is with great sorrow we share that John Sykes has passed away after a hard-fought battle with cancer," a statement posted on Sykes' official Facebook page read on Monday,
John Sykes, former Whitesnake and Thin Lizzy guitarist, dies at 65
John Sykes, the guitarist whose talent helped propel Whitesnake to success, is dead at 65. He also worked with the bands Thin ...
John Sykes, Whitesnake and Thin Lizzy guitarist, dies at 65
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John Sykes Dies: Former Whitesnake & Thin Lizzy Guitarist Was 65
John Sykes, a guitarist who played with Thin Lizzy before joining Whitesnake for its smash 1987 album and later forming Blue ...
John Sykes, Thin Lizzy and Whitesnake Guitarist, Dies at 65
Sykes co-wrote "Is This Love," one of Whitesnake's biggest hits on the Billboard Hot 100, and more songs on the band's ...